In the 18th and 19th centuries, ample flesh and voluptuousness were considered to be the ultimate in feminine pulchritude. Today however, the opposite seems to be the average woman’s goal.
 
To a certain extent, the desire to be able to wear dresses two sizes smaller than what currently fits has been brought about by women’s magazines and models paraded in clothes few can afford to buy.

There is little doubt that overweight considerably increases the risk of many health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes, particularly when associated with obesity. However, the quest to lose weight for the sake of fashion or appearance has not only given rise to a megabuck industry, but is also blamed for a rise in anorexia cases. Young impressionable females with an unrealistic perception of themselves being “fat”, literally starve themselves to death.

Cashing in on this desire to “in with the thin” are the weight-loss clinics and the purveyors of diet books, pills, creams, and gadgets. There is hardly a week goes by without a new “miracle” discovery hitting the headlines, promising cellulite reduction by the kilo with minimal effort. Credence is often given to those authors with medical or naturopathic qualifications, or in diets sponsored by sports identities and film super stars. Yet when examined by nutrition experts, most are found wanting or to have only short term effects. Many promoters make unsubstantiated claims for their products and engage in what can only be called fraud. Some products have even proved to be fatal.
 
Out and out frauds include cellulite spot-reduction creams, homoeopathic products such as drops placed on the tongue, adhesive dots placed on acupuncture points, sauna belts and mechanical spot-reducers, Ninzu ear clips, (a device that fits on the ear and is claimed to suppress appetite through acupressure), and sweating it out while wrapped in plastic. Popular consumer items just as ineffective include slimming teas, starch blockers, nonprescription pills, herbal remedies and formula diets.

In view of such a pessimistic overview for those who wish to lose weight, is there such a thing as a “foolproof” weight-loss diet for those who really need to lose weight? To answer this question, you first need to know what your correct healthy weight for size should be. Although the weight-for-height label on a pair of ordinary bathroom scales will tell you what the average weight for a male or female of a certain height should be, this is by no means an accurate indication. Bone structure is one variable that could indicate that you are overweight when you are not.

The next requirement is an understanding of the nutritional requirements of the human body and what constitutes excess weight.

Basically, all that is required for healthy living is a balanced low-fat diet recommended by a professional nutritional expert. This should be in the order of thirty calories per kilo of body weight per day, together with a moderate amount of exercise. In a normal healthy person, if the calorie intake is the equivalent of the energy expended, then weight should remain constant. Calorie intake over and above that required to maintain this balance will result in additional weight gain. Conversely, a reduction in calorie intake will do the opposite — weight will be lost.

The problem with weight-reduction is the will power needed to stick to a lifetime regimen. No matter what method one uses, for most people it is possible to reduce weight. Unfortunately it is very easy to put it back on.
 
Inherent in this "off and on" process, sometimes referred to as "yo-yo dieting", is an increased danger of heart disease and an overall higher than average death rate.
 
Summed up — consume more calories than you need and you get fat. Starve yourself — and you lose weight. I’m certainly not suggesting the latter of course. I’m merely pointing out the obvious.

Moderation in all things is well worth keeping in mind. The goal should be achieving fitness rather than weight control per se. Weight control often follows, but even if it does not, the individual is better off.


References:

American Medical Association, 1993, A Reader's Guide to Alternative Health Methods, American Medical Association, Chicago, IL. 60610.

Barrett, Stephen, M.D. & Jarvis, William T. Ph.D. 1993. The Health Robbers, Prometheus Books, Buffalo, New York
.
Barrett, Jarvis, Kroger & London, 1997, Consumer Health: A Guide to Intelligent Decisions. Brown & Benchmark Publishers, Madison, WJ53711.
 
Health Weight Loss Journal, Jan/Feb. 1996.


From:  Edwards, H.  1991 Alternative, Complementary, Holistic & Spiritual Healing, Australian Skeptics Inc.